Pubdate: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 Source: Powell River Peak (CN BC) Copyright: 1999 Peak Publishing Ltd. Contact: 4400 Marine Ave, Powell River, BC V8A 2K1 Canada Website: http://peak.powellriver.net/ MORE FUNDING FOR NEEDLES Annual funding for community-based HIV/AIDS services in the Powell River area will increase by $22,568, Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Gordon Wilson announced last week. The money will go to the Coast Garibaldi Community Health Services Society to increase needle-exchange services. More than 40 community-based HIV/AIDS groups have received funding from the ministry of health. "This added funding reflects the growing need for needle-exchange services on the Sunshine Coast," said Wilson. "The society has identified a need to open its doors on more days and buy extra equipment." The higher level of service will also allow the Powell River needle exchange to expand its hours and to establish a satellite program on Texada Island. "Local organizations continue to do an excellent job of meeting our communities' needs," said Wilson. "Now with stable, annual funding, they can work in partnership with the Powell River health authority to plan and deliver even more effective services for the people of the Sunshine Coast." All HIV/AIDS funding will be transferred from the ministry to health authorities later this year, in keeping with commitments made when BC's Framework for Action on HIV/AIDS was released last December. Contracts with agencies have been extended six months beyond the regular 12-month period to March 31, 2001. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake